MICHAEL GRISS FROM DAGENHAM SENTENCED TO SEVEN LIFE TERMS FOR CHILD SEX OFFENSES IN LONDON

In a landmark case at the Old Bailey, Michael Griss, a 48-year-old man from Dagenham, Essex, was handed down an unprecedented sentence of seven life imprisonments after being convicted of a series of heinous child sex offences spanning nearly two decades. The court heard that Griss had engaged in a prolonged pattern of abuse, targeting five young boys over a period from 1979 to 1997, with all victims being under the age of 16. Alarmingly, two of these victims were as young as 12 at the time of their victimization.

Throughout the trial, it was revealed that Griss, who worked professionally as a painter and decorator in Dagenham, had used various forms of bribery to manipulate and control his victims. He provided them with expensive gifts such as mountain bikes, computers, trainers, and cash, effectively coercing them into silence and compliance. His manipulative tactics underscored the calculated nature of his crimes, which involved not only abuse but also efforts to conceal his actions.

The judge presiding over the case, Gerald Gordon, did not hold back in his condemnation of Griss. He stated, “Not only did you indulge in prolonged, progressive, and corrupting behaviour with all of them, you used substantial bribery and coercion to obtain your needs.” The severity of the sentence reflected the gravity of Griss’s actions and the impact on his victims.

Griss’s arrest was triggered when the mother of one of his victims uncovered evidence of her son’s abuse. During the investigation, Griss attempted to downplay his involvement, shifting blame onto the victims themselves. This denial and minimization further demonstrated his lack of remorse and understanding of the harm caused.

It was also disclosed that Griss had a long history of indecency convictions dating back to 1968, indicating a disturbing pattern of predatory behaviour that spanned decades. The court was told that he had essentially made a career out of assaulting boys, a revelation that added to the outrage surrounding his case.

Judge Gordon emphasized the need to protect society from individuals like Griss, stating, “You have shown no remorse and do not agree with what you did was wrong. You have, by your attitudes and actions, declared war on society’s standards of decency for its young people.” Concluding his remarks, the judge declared that Griss should be kept away from the public until it is deemed safe to release him, underscoring the seriousness with which the justice system viewed his crimes.